Tori Spelling Stuns in ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Debut at 51 — Her Foxtrot Left Everyone Talking

Tori Spelling recently shared her excitement about joining *Dancing with the Stars*, but her foxtrot performance has sparked mixed reactions online. Public criticism is something the actress is familiar with, and this time was no different.

At 51, Spelling took to the *Dancing with the Stars* stage with grace and confidence, performing a foxtrot with her dance partner, Pasha Pashkov. The duo impressed many in the audience with their elegant routine. Her debut was especially meaningful as she had the support of her former *90210* castmates.

Despite the positive reactions, some viewers voiced concerns and critiques on social media, sharing mixed opinions about her performance.

Getty Images

For her ballroom debut on September 17, Tori Spelling wore a gorgeous, sparkly dress that featured sheer fabric around her midriff. She paired the flowing gown with glittery heels and styled her blonde hair with two braids on the sides, letting the rest fall in soft curls.

Together with her dance partner, Pasha Pashkov, the pair performed their routine to P!nk’s song “Trustfall.” Throughout the performance, Spelling smiled brightly as she spun, swayed, waltzed, dipped, kicked, and shimmied across the stage, following Pashkov’s lead and sticking to their choreography.

After the performance, social media users shared their thoughts. Instead of focusing on her dance skills, some expressed concern for Spelling’s health and wellbeing.

Getty Images

On the other hand, many viewers focused on Tori Spelling’s dancing. One observer criticized, “Awful performance.” Another commenter mentioned her enthusiastic facial expressions, saying, “Her face and voice don’t match 😆🤣 she needs more practice 🤷🏽‍♀️.”

Some also questioned the difficulty of her routine. A YouTube commenter remarked, “Her choreography was way easier than most other dancers, not really fair to the other dancers.” Another added, “That was tough! 😂 Bless her heart, at least she looks happy? 😂”

Despite the criticism, some fans thought Spelling did a great job. One viewer, unhappy with the scores, commented, “She deserved better scores! Why was she undercut? Such beauty to her routine!!”

Getty Images

Among those showing support for Tori Spelling are her former *Beverly Hills, 90210* co-stars: Brian Austin Green, Gabrielle Carteris, Jennie Garth, and Ian Ziering.

Before her *Dancing with the Stars* debut, her co-stars shared how excited they were for her to compete for the Mirrorball Trophy on season 33. At the *90210* panel during 90s Con on September 14, they offered words of encouragement. While they all agreed that the show is challenging, they wished Spelling the best. Green, who had competed on *DWTS* himself, advised, “Keep your head on, enjoy the experience.”

Getty Images

On the night of her foxtrot performance, Spelling gave a brief interview with *Extra* where she explained why she finally decided to join the show. She shared that while she had turned down the offer in the past, it wasn’t because she wasn’t a fan—she confirmed that she’s always been a big fan of the show.

This acknowledgment in her book contrasts with a 2013 interview with *Us Magazine*, where Tori Spelling highlighted her bikini body and discussed her weight loss journey. In that interview, she stated, “I feel like I took off the weight safely, and I’m totally happy here,” reflecting the complex pressures celebrities often face in presenting an idealized image of health and fitness. This shows how public figures can feel torn between personal struggles and the need to maintain a perfect image.